नारद उवाच अथ व्योम्नि महाञ्छब्दः सविद्युत्स्तनयित्नुमान्। मेघैश्च गगनं नीलं संरुद्धमभवद् घनैः॥
Narada said At the conclusion of Mahadeva's speech, loud roars were heard in the sky. Thunders bellowed, with flashes of lightning. The sky was covered with blue and thick clouds.
प्रावृषीव च पर्जन्यो ववृषो निर्मलं पयः। तमश्चैवाभवद् घोरं दिशश्च न चकाशिरे॥
The god of the clouds then poured pure water like to what he does in the season of rains. A thick darkness appeared. The cardinal points could no longer be made out.
ततो देवगिरौ तस्मिन् रम्ये पुण्ये सनातने। न शर्वं भूतसंधं वा ददृशुर्मुनयस्तदा॥
Then on that charming, sacred and eternal breast of that celestial, celestial, mountain, the assembled Rishis no longer saw the ghostly beings who associate with Mahadeva.
व्यभ्रं च गगनं सद्यः क्षणेन समपद्यता तीर्थयात्रां ततो विप्रा जग्मुश्चान्ये यथागतम्॥
Soon, however, the sky cleared. Some of the Rishis started for the sacred waters, Others returned whence they came.
तदद्भुतमचिन्त्यं च दृष्ट्वा ते विस्मिताऽभवन्। शङ्करस्योमया साधू संवादं त्वत्कथाश्रयम्॥
Seeing that wonderful and inconceivable spectacle, they become filled with surprise. They had heard the discourse, too, between Shankara and Uma with the same feelings.
स भवान् पुरुषव्याघ्र ब्रह्मभूतः सनातनः। यदर्थमनुशिष्टाः स्मो गिरिपृष्ठे महात्मना॥
Tliat Foremost of all Beings, of whom the great Shankara spoke to us on that mountain, are You. You are at one with Eternal Brahma.
द्वितीयं त्वद्धतमिदं त्वत्तेजः कृतमद्य वै। दृष्ट्वा च विस्मिताः कृष्ण सा च नः स्मृतिरागता।॥
Sometime before, Mahadeva burnt Himavat with his energy. You have shown us a similar wonderful spectacle. Indeed, we remember that by what we have seen today.
एतत् ते देवदेवस्य माहात्म्यं कथितं प्रभो। कपर्दिनो गिरीशस्य महाबाहो जनार्दन॥
O Mighty-armed Janardana, I have thus, O Powerful One, recited to You the glory of that God of gods, viz., Him that is called Kapardin or Girisha.
भीष्म उवाच इत्युक्तः स तदा कृष्णस्तपोवननिवासिभिः। मानयामास तान् सर्वानृषीन् देवकिनन्दनः॥
Bhishma said Thus addressed by those hermits' Krishna, the delighter of Devaki, paid due honors to all those Rishis.
अथर्षयः सम्प्रहृष्टाः पुनस्ते कृष्णमब्रुवन्। पुनः पुनः दर्शयास्मान् सदैव मधुसूदन॥
Filled with joy, those Rishis once more addressed Krishna, saying, O Destroyer of Madhu, do you repeatedly show yourself to us at all times.
न हि नः सा रतिः स्वर्गे या च त्वदर्शने विभो। तदृतं च महाबाहो यदाह भगवान् भवः॥
0 Powerful One, Heaven itself cannot rejoice us so much as a sight of Yourself. Everything that was said by the illustrious Bhava is true.
एतत् ते सर्वमाख्यातं रहस्यमरिकर्शन। त्वमेव ार्थतत्त्वज्ञः पृष्टोऽस्मान् पृच्छसे यदा॥ तदस्माभिरिदं गुह्यं त्वत्प्रियार्थमुदाहृतम्। न च तेऽविदितं किंचित्रिषु लोकेषु विद्यते॥
O Crusher of enemies, we have told you all about that mystery. You are yourself acquainted with the truth of every subject. Since, however, asked by us; You were kind enough to ask us in return, we have, therefore, recited everything to You for only pleasing You. There is nothing in the three worlds that You do not know.
जन्म चैव प्रसूतिश्च यच्चान्यत् कारणं विभो। वयं तु बहुचापल्यादशक्ता गुह्यधारणे॥
You are fully acquainted with the birth and origin of all things, indeed, with everything that works as a cause. On account of the lightness of our character, we cannot keep close any mystery.
ततः स्थिते त्वयि विभो लघुत्वात् प्रलपामहे। न हि किंचित् तदाश्चर्यं यन्न वेत्ति भवानिह॥
Indeed, in Your presence, O Powerful One, we indulge in incoherencies from the lightness of our hearts. There is no wonderful thing which You do not know.
दिवि वा भुवि वा देव सर्वे हि विदितं तव। साधयाम वयं कृष्ण बुद्धिं पृष्टिमवाप्नुहि॥
You know whatever is on Earth, and whatever is in the celestial region. We take our leave of You, O Krishna, for returning to our respective quarters. May You increase in intelligence and prosperity.
पुत्रस्ते सदृशस्तात विशिष्टो वा भविष्यति। महाप्रभावसंयुक्तो दीप्तिकीर्तिकरः प्रभुः॥
O Sire, You will soon get a son after you or even more distinguished than Yourself. He will be gifted with great energy and splendour. He will achieve great feats, and become possessed of power as great as Yours.
भीष्म उवाच ततः प्रणम्य देवेशं यादवं पुरुषोत्तमम्। प्रदक्षिणमुपावृत्य प्रजग्मुस्ते महर्षयः॥
Bhishma said After this, the great Rishis bowed to that God of gods, that scion of Yadu's race, that Foremost of all Beings. They then went round Him and taking His leave, departed.
सोऽयं नारायणः श्रीमान् दीप्त्या परमया युतः। व्रतं यथावत् तच्चीवा॑ द्वारकां पुनरागमत्॥
As regards Narayana, who is gifted with prosperity and blazing effulgence, He returned to Dwaraka after having duly observed that vow of His.
पूर्णे च दशमे मासि पुत्रोऽस्य परमाद्भतुतः। रुक्मिण्यां सम्मतो यज्ञे शूरो वंशधरः प्रभो॥
His wife Rukmini conceived, and on the expiration of the tenth month a son was born of her, gifted with heroism and honoured by all for his highly wonderful accomplishments.
कामः सर्वभूतानां सर्वभावगतो नृप। असुराणां सुराणां च चरत्यन्तर्गतः सदा॥
He is at one with that Kama (Desire) which exists in every creature and which pervades every condition. Indeed, he moves within the hearts of both gods and demons.
सोऽयं पुरुषशार्दूलो मेघवर्णश्रुतुर्भुजः। संश्रितः पाण्डवान् प्रेम्णा भवन्तश्चैनमाश्रिताः॥
This Krishna is that foremost of all persons. He gifted with the complexion of the clouds is that four-handed Vasudeva. Through affection He has taken up the cause of the Pandavas, and you also, you sons of Pandu, have attached yourselves to Him.
कीर्तिर्लक्ष्मीकृतिश्चैव स्वर्गमार्गस्तथैव च। यत्रैष संस्थितस्तत्र देवो विष्णुस्त्रिविक्रमः॥
Achievements, Prosperity, Intelligence, and the Path that leads to the celestial region, are all there where this One, viz., the Illustrious Vishnu of three steps, is.
सेन्द्रा देवास्त्रयस्त्रिंशदेष नात्र विचारणा। आदिदेवो महादेवः सर्वभूतप्रतिश्रयः॥
He is the thirty-three gods headed by Indra. There is no doubt in this. He is the one Ancient God. He is the Foremost of all gods. He is the refuge of all creatures.
अनादिनिधनोऽव्यक्तो महात्मा मधुसूदनः। अयं जातो महातेजाः सुराणामर्थसिद्धये।॥
He is without beginning and without destruction. He is unmanifest. He is the great Destroyer of Madhu. Gifted with mighty energy, He has taken birth (among men) for doing the purposes of the gods.
सुदुस्तरार्थतत्त्वस्य वक्ता कर्ता च माधवः। तव पार्थ जयः कृत्स्त्रस्तव कीर्तिस्तथातुला॥ तवेय पृथिवी देवी कृत्स्त्रा नारायणाश्रयात्।
This Madhava is the expounder of the most difficult truths about Profit or Wealth, and He is also their achiever. O son of Pritha, the victory you have got over your enemies, your peerless achievements, the dominion you have acquired over the whole Earth, are all owing to having Narayana espoused your cause.
अयं नाथस्तवाचिन्त्यो यस्य नारायणो गतिः॥ स भवांस्त्वमुपाध्व! रणाग्नौ हुतवान् नृपान्। कृष्णस्तुवेण महत्ता युगान्ताग्निसमेत वै॥
The fact of your having got the inconceivable Narayana for your protector and refuge, enabled you to become an Adhvaryu (chief sacrificer) for pouring multitudes of kings as libations on the burning fire of battle. This Krishna was your great sacrificial ladle resembling the all-destroying fire which appears at the end of the cycle.
दुर्योधनश्च शोच्योऽसौ सपुत्रभ्रातृबान्धवः। कृतवान् योऽबुधिः क्रोधाद्धरिगाण्डीविविग्रहम्॥
Duryodhana, with his sons, brothers and kinsmen, was much to be pitied inasmuch as, moved by anger, he made war with Hari and the wielder of Gandiva.
दैतेया दानवेन्द्राश्च महाकाया महाबलाः। चक्राग्नौ क्षयमापन्ना दावाग्नौ शलभा इव।॥
Many sons of Diti, many foremost of Danavas, of huge bodies and vast strength, have died in the fire of Krishna's discus like insects in a forest fire.
प्रतियाटुं न शक्यो हि मानुषैरेष संयुगे। विहीनैः पुरुषव्याघ्र सत्त्वशक्तिबलादिभिः॥
How incapable then must human beings be of fighting against that Krishna, human beings who, O foremost of men, are shorn of strength and power.
जयो योगी युगान्ताभः सव्यसाची रणाग्रगः! तेजसा हतवान् सर्वे सुयोधनबलं नृप॥
As regards Jaya, he is a powerful Yogin resembling the all-destroying cyclefire in energy. Capable of drawing the bow equally with both hands, he is always in the van of fight. With his energy, O king, he has killed all the soldiers of Suyodhana.
यत् तु गोवृषभांकेन मुनिभ्यः समुदाहृतम्। पुराणं हिमवत्पृष्ठे तन्मे निगदतः शृणु॥
Listen to me as I tell you what Mahadeva having the bovine bull for the emblem on his standard had recited to the ascetics on the breast of Himavat. His utterances form a Purana.
यावत् तस्य भवेत् पुष्टिस्तेजो दीप्तिः पराक्रमः। प्रभावः सन्नतिर्जन्म कृष्णे तन्त्रिगुणं विभो॥
The advancement or greatness, energy, strength, prowess, power, humility, and family that are in Arjuna can form only a third part of the attributes of Krishna.
कः शक्रोत्यन्यथाकर्तुं तद् यदि स्यात् तथा शृणु। यत्र कृष्णो हि भगवांस्तत्र पुष्टिरनुत्तमा॥
Who is there who can transcend Krishna in these attributes? Whether that is possible or not, listen. Peerless Excellence prevails where the illustrious Krishna is.
वयं त्विहाल्पमतयः परतन्त्रा सुविक्लवाः। ज्ञानपूर्वं प्रपन्नाः स्मो मृत्योः पन्थानमव्ययम्॥
As for ourselves we are persons of little understanding. Dependent upon the will of others, we are highly unfortunate. Knowingly we betook ourselves to the eternal path of death.
भवांश्चाप्याजवपरः पूर्वं कृत्वा प्रतिश्रयम्। राजवृत्तं न लभते प्रतिज्ञापालने रतः॥
You, however, are devoted to sincerity of conduct. Having formerly promised not to take your kingdom, you did not take it, desirous of keeping your promise.
अप्येवात्मवधं लोके राजंस्त्वं बहु मन्यसे। न हि प्रतिज्ञा या दत्ता तां प्रहातुमरिंदम॥
0 king, you make too much of the destruction of your kinsmen and friends in battle. You should remember, however, O chastiser of enemies, that it is not fair to break a promise.
कालेनायं जनः सर्वो निहतो रणमूर्धनि। वयं च कालेन हताः कालो हि परमेश्वरः॥
All those who have fallen on the field of battlc have really been killed by Time. Indeed, all of us have been killed by Time. Time is indeed, all powerful.
न हि कालेन कालज्ञः स्पृष्टः शोचितुमर्हसि। कालो लोहितरक्ताक्षः कृष्णो दण्डी सनातनः॥
You are fully acquainted with the power of Time. Afflicted by time you should not grieve. Know that Krishna Himself otherwise called Hari, is that Time with bloodred eyes and with club in hand.
तस्मात् कुन्तीसुत ज्ञातीन् नेह शोचितुमर्हसि। व्यपेतमन्युर्नित्यं त्वं भव कौरवनन्दन॥
For these reasons, O son of Kunti, you should not grieve for your (slain) kinsfolk. Be always free, O delighter of the Kurus, from grief.
माधवस्यास्य माहात्म्यं श्रुतं यत् कथितं मया। तदेव तावत् पर्याप्तं सज्जनस्य निदर्शनम्॥
You have heard me sing the glory and greatness of Madhava. That is sufficient for making a good man understand Him.
व्यासस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा नारदस्य च धीमतः। स्वयं चैव महाराज कृष्णस्याहतामस्य वै॥
Having heard the words of Vyasa, as also of the highly intelligent Narada, I have described to you the adorableness of Krishna. I have myself added, from my own knowledge, something to that account.
प्रभावश्चर्षिपूगस्य कथितः सुमहान् मया। महेश्वरस्य संवादं शैलपुत्र्याश्च भारत॥
Indeed, I have described also on the Surpassing Power of Krishna as recited by Mahadeva, to that assembly of Rishis. I have also described to you the discourse too between Maheshvara and the daughter of Himavat, O Bharata.
धारयिष्यति यश्चैनं महापुरुषसम्भवम्। शृणुयात् कथयेद् वा यः स श्रेयो लभते परम्॥
He who will remember that discourse when coming out from a foremost person, he who will listen to it, and he who will recite it, is sure to acquire what is highly beneficial.
भवितारश्च तस्याथ सर्वे कामा यथेप्सिताः। प्रेत्य स्वर्गं च लभते नरो नास्त्यत्र संशयः॥
That man will find all his wishes fulfilled, Departing from this world he will ascend to the celestial region. There is no doubt in this.
न्याय्यं श्रेयोऽभिकामेन प्रतिपत्तुं जनार्दनः। एष एवाक्षयो विप्रैः स्तुतो राजन् जनार्दनः॥
That man who wishes to obtain what is beneficial for himself, should devote himself to Janardana.
महेश्वरमुखोत्सृष्टा ये च धर्मगुणाः स्मृताः। ते त्वया मनसा धार्याः कुरुराज दिवानिशम्॥
O king of the Kurus, you should also remember those incidents of duty and virtue which were declared by Maheshvara.
एवं ते वर्तमानस्य सम्यग्दण्डधरस्य च। प्रजापालनदक्षस्य स्वर्गलोको भविष्यति॥
If you act according to those precepts, if you carry the rod of punishment rightly, if you protect your subjects properly, you may be sure of attaining to the celestial.
धर्मेणापि सदा राजन् प्रजा रक्षितुमर्हसि। यस्तस्य विपुलो दण्डः सम्यग्धर्मः स कीर्त्यते॥
You should, O king, protect your subjects always according to the dictates of virtue. The strong rod of punishment which the kings bear has been said to be the embodiment of his virtue or merit.
य एष कथितो राजन् मया सज्जनसंनिधौ। शङ्करस्योमया सार्धं संवादो धर्मसंहितः॥
Hearing this discourse, fraught with righteousness, between Shankara and Uma, that I have recited before this pious assemblage, one should adore with respect that god having the bull for the device on his banner.
श्रुत्वा वा श्रोतुकामो वाप्यर्चयेद् वृषभध्वजम्। विशुद्धेनेह भावेन य इच्छेद् भूतिमात्मनः॥
One who becomes even becomes even desirous of listening to that discourse, should adore Mahadeva with respect. Indeed, the person who wishes to obtain what is beneficial for him, should worship Mahadeva with a pure hcart.
एष तस्यानवद्यस्य नारदस्य महात्मनः। संदेशो देवपूजार्थं तं तथा कुरु पाण्डव॥
This is the behest of the sinless and highsouled Narada. He has commanded such adoration of the great god. O son of Pandu, do you obey that command of Narada.
एतदत्यद्रुतं वृत्तं पुण्ये हि भवति प्रभो। वासुदेवस्य कौन्तेय स्थाणोश्चैव स्वभावजम्॥
O powerful king, these are the wonderful incidents which took place on the sacred breast of Himavat about Vasudeva and Sthani, son of Kunti. Those events emanated from the very nature of those great deities.
दशवर्षसहस्त्राणि बदर्यामेष शाश्वतः। तपश्चचार विपुलं सह गाण्डीवधन्त्रना॥
Accompanied by the holder of Gandiva, Vasudeva practised eternal penances in the hermitage of Badari for ten thousand years.
त्रियुगौ पुण्डरीकाक्षौ वासुदेवधनञ्जयौ। विदितौ नारदादेतौ मम व्यासाञ्ज पार्थिव॥
Indeed, Vasudeva and Dhananjaya, having like lotus petals, practised severe austerities for three entire cycles. I have learnt this from Narada and Vyasa, O king.
बाल एव महाबाहुश्चकार कदनं महत्। कंसस्य पुण्डरीकाक्षो ज्ञातित्राणार्थकारणात्॥
The lotus-eyed and mighty-armed Vasudeva, while yet a child performed the great feat of killing Kansa for the relief of his kinsmen. eyes like
कर्मणामस्य कौन्तेय नान्तं संख्यातुमुत्सहे। शाश्वतस्य पुराणस्य पुरुषस्य युधिष्ठिर॥
I dare not, O son of Kunti, enumerate the feats of this Ancient and Eternal Being, O Yudhishthira.
ध्रुवं श्रेयः परं तात भविष्यति तवोत्तमम्। यस्य ते पुरुषव्याघ्रः सखा चायं जनार्दनः॥
O son, Forsooth, high and great benefits will be reaped by you who have that foremost of all persons, viz., Vasudeva, for your friend.
दुर्योधनं तु शोचामि प्रेत्य लोकेऽपि दुर्मतिम्। यत्कृते पृथिवी सर्वा विनष्टा सहयद्विपा॥
I gricve for the wicked Duryodhana about even the next world to which he has gone. It was for him that the entire Earth has been depopulated with her horses and elephants.
दुर्योधनापराधेन कर्णस्य शकुनेस्तथा। दुःशासनचतुर्थानां कुरवो निधनं गताः॥
Indeed, through the fault of Duryodhana, of Karna, of Shakuni, and of Dushasana as the fourthi, that the Kurus have died.
वैशम्पायन उवाच एवं सम्भाषमाणे तु गाङ्गेये पुरुषर्षभे। तूष्णीं बभूव कौरव्यो मध्ये तेषां महात्मनाम्॥
Vaishampayana said While that foremost of men, viz., the son of Ganga, spoke to him thus, the Kuru king (Yudhishthira) remained entirely silent in the midst of those great persons.
तच्छ्रुत्वा विस्मयं जग्मुर्धृतराष्ट्रादयो नृपाः। सम्पूज्य मनसा कृष्णं सर्वे प्राञ्जलयोऽभवन्॥
All the kings with Dhritarashtra amongst thein become stricken with wonder upon hearing the words of the Kuru grandfather. In their minds they adored Krishna and then turned towards him with hands clasped in respect.
ऋषयश्चापि ते सर्वे नारदप्रमुखास्तदा। प्रतिगृह्याभ्यनन्दन्त तद्वाक्यं प्रतिपूज्य च॥
The Rishis also headed by Narada, accepted and highly spoke of the words of Bhishma and approved of them joyfully.
इत्येतदखिलं सर्वैः पाण्डवो भ्रातृभिः सह। श्रुतवान् सुमहाश्चर्यं पुण्यं भीष्मानुशासनम्॥
These were the wonderful subjects recited by Bhishma which Yudhishthira with all his brothers heard with joy.
युधिष्ठिरस्तु गाङ्गेयं विश्रान्तं भूरिदक्षिणम्। पुनरेव महाबुद्धिः पर्यपृच्छन्महीपतिः॥
Sometime after, when king Yudhishthira saw that Bhishma who had given away profuse riches as presents to the Brahmanas in the sacrifices celebrated by him, had rested and become refreshed, the intelligent king once inore asked him as follows.